[EsbSpecial]

I recently have come into possession of a series IV TT alto from '28 that I am almost too nervous to play.

It has original gold plating at close to 98%(there is some minor pitting) - a brass repairman friend of mine was shocked by the condition of the plating. I've never had a GP horn before, and am trying to figure out what exactly I should do.

The pads are modern - even though the instrument shows very little wear and tear, it is mechanically in great condition and the pads were replaced sometime in the last 30 years or so. Good lord, does this horn play. The 01 neck was stored wrapped in a polishing cloth, and the matte finish is flawless. The body could use a cleaning - there are some darkish spots on the crook and in the upper stack, but the plating is all there.


A screaming deal was had on this instrument. I asked the seller "are you sure that's all you want?" many, many times. I am going to be taking it to Jack Finucane at the Boston Sax Shop next time I can get down there to see what he has to say about it.

Anyways, the actual question:

How durable is the plating? Should I be nervous about even handling the instrument, never mind playing it? I'll try to get photos up in the next day or so.

 

[turf3]

You don't need to do anything. That's why it was gold plated. Don't go polishing it with abrasives and you'll be fine for decades to come.

I don't KNOW this but I strongly SUSPECT that the plating from the 1920s was much thicker and more durable than it is today.

 

[milandro]

παντα ρει ως ποταμος. (Panta rei os potamos.) Everything flows like a river. Tout passe, tout lasse, tout casse et tout se remplace (Everything passes, everything wears out, everything breaks and everything replaced).

If you use it it will wear out but if you don’t use it what’s the point of having it?

No you shouldn’t be nervous to habdle the instruemnt and its value is in the pleasure of using it way more than it would be if kept. In any case relax, even if gold plated it is not that we are talking huge amounts of money.

 

[lostcircuits]

You don't need to do anything. That's why it was gold plated. Don't go polishing it with abrasives and you'll be fine for decades to come.

I don't KNOW this but I strongly SUSPECT that the plating from the 1920s was much thicker and more durable than it is today.

Exactly, just to reinforce this, gold is more delicate than silver, so really, keep your hand off anything but maybe a soft polishing cloth. If you don't want to use it on your prescription glasses, don't use it on gold plating.

 

[zapatista]

Use the horn unless you just want it for display purposes. Generally speaking, True Tone altos, even gold plated ones, are not extremely desirable/pricey/rare from a collecting standpoint. Just go ahead and enjoy it.

 

[JL]

I've never had a GP horn before, and am trying to figure out what exactly I should do.

Play it!! These are great altos, gold plated or not. And yes, I think turf is correct. Gayle at 'vintage sax', who is a Buescher expert, told me plating on these vintage Bueschers is relatively thick and lasts a long time. That was in response to my question about the original silver plate on my '39 Aristocrat tenor, which looks as good as new. So I don't know if it applies to gold plate, but I suspect it might. In any case, plating (silver or gold--actually the gold is plated over silver so you get a double coat of plating) provides excellent protection for the brass and will far outlast the lacquer used in those days.

 

[EsbSpecial]

I have brought it to the Boston Sax Shop and letting them have their way with it. I cannot wait until gets done!

 

[EsbSpecial]

Photos, as promised a while ago.

Took them right before bringing it to BSS.

 

[EsbSpecial]

Alright - it is a few months later.

I still have not been able to pick it up - Jack has been very backed up due to the whole virus shenanigans, and I completely understand. In my impatient desire to play the horn, I picked up an earlier TT in silver plate with the pearl G# for the same amount I got the gold horn in, except this one was in a new protec XL case. Once I get the gold one, I will be swapping cases until I have enough scratch to pick up another one for the silver horn.

Anyways, the silver horn is in OK shape - it certainly could use some tech time, but I knew that when I snagged it on craigslist. I found a Caravan piece in my drawer and popped it on. OH man, it is just a fun little horn to play! I totally understand why people like these little horns.

Later that day, my wife came to me and asked what instrument I was playing. Apparently, it reminded her of when her brother (a classically trained music professor) would come home and play clarinet and oboe on his breaks. Never before have I ever sounded like that - I take it as a big win.

I've been playing the silver horn for a bit now, and am finally going to be getting the gold one back this weekend. I simply cannot wait.

 

[paulwl]

I find the Buescher gold plate to be durable on bright surfaces but a little more vulnerable to "greying out" on the matte areas, where the hands rest often (back of the main tube and the neck).

 

[Grumps]

I also play a '28 True Tone alto with an Aristocrat 01 neck. Great match.